Go behind the velvet ropes of parties from Chicago and beyond with event news, fashion, celebs and videos for the see-and-be-seen set.

September 20, 2010

PARKWAYS GARDEN PARTY RAISES OVER $300,000

I went to a garden party, to reminisce with my old friends…this was the Ricky Nelson song from 1972 that kept playing in my head at this year’s 8th Annual Parkways Foundation Garden Party Luncheon held in the Tiffany & Co. Celebration Garden. Even though the weather didn’t look like it was going to cooperate with clouds and some rain, the crowd of 600 clapped when the sun came out. The venue was delightful with artistically painted trees dotting the landscape leading up to the tent which was just south of Buckingham Fountain. The hats were out in force, as always, some more creative than stylish but all worn with much flair. This year’s proceeds benefitted Moore Park which is located in the west side’s Austin neighborhood. Event co-chairs Marty Higgins, Carol Prins and Laura Barnett Sawchyn made sure every detail was attended to including the charming table centerpieces which were created by Park District teens and kids. This year’s Jens Jensen award was presented to Charter One which has been a lead corporate sponsor and the honoree of the Council Ring Outstanding Volunteer was Laura Barnett Sawchyn who has been a board member since 2004. Back by popular demand was The Tiffany & Co. Blue Box Raffle. Guests purchased a Tiffany Box and three lucky ladies won fabulous gifts donated by Tiffany & Co. including a pair of 18K yellow gold and diamond earrings designed by Jean Schlumberger (valued at $5250), a crystal William Yeoward vase ($390) and a sterling silver “American Garden” cheese set ($255). The lunch was provided by “Limelight…food illuminated” and began with a chilled summer corn soup and the entrée was marinated shredded Amish chicken with organic beets, gorgonzola and julienne veggies in a bed of summer greens. Dessert was coconut panna cotta on a dark chocolate smear. It was a lovely event with lots of great style and some not so great… but all very interesting! Congrats to Parkways for raising over $300,000 for the betterment of Chicago’s parks and to enrich communities through historic preservation, environmental initiatives, capital projects and youth/family programs. For more information on this wonderful organization, please visit www.parkways.org. (To see ALL of the event pics, please click here!)

The magnificent Palmer House Hilton recently celebrated its 140th anniversary and landmark status dedication in grand style. Monroe Street was closed off and the gold bunting hanging from the front of the hotel let everyone know this was a very, very special occasion. There was even a marching band from Carl Sandburg High School! Bill Kurtis emceed and introduced the speakers who included Alderman Brendan Reilly, General Manager Dean Lane, owner Joe Sitt and Mayor Daley. Mayor Daley had the crowd chuckling when he recounted the times he and his family had spent at parties in the Empire Room. He said, “I remember many times with father where he sat me down to tell me what I was doing wrong. It was a long list.” Then Palmer House owner Joe Sitt recalled when he first toured the property. “I met an employee who had worked here for 69 years and shined shoes for Woodrow Wilson. He told me to remember I would also be buying a piece of history.” All of the staff were standing so proudly onstage before the ceremony began and I was told they even have a 90-year-old window washer who comes in everyday to work. Now that is some dedication!!! When the landmark status plaque was revealed, confetti rained down on the crowd and the band played “Chicago”…it was such an exciting moment! After the ceremony outside, we were invited inside for a toast and some cake. Pastry Chef Fabrice Bouet had created a replica of the building and from the smile on the Mayor’s face when he sampled the first piece, it was as tasty as it was beautiful! I saw lots of familiar faces in the crowd including Joffrey Executive Director Christopher Conway, Rhonda Brown, John Bourgeois, Mich Mag’s Dan Uslan and Susanna Negovan, Hazel Barr, Greg Hyder and Hope and Joni Mason among many others. Congrats to the wonderful Palmer House peeps including Catering Director David Brandt, GM Dean Lane, Manager Todd Temperly and PR Honcho Ken Price for giving Chicago this wonderful gift! (To see ALL event pics, please click here!)

I want to congratulate David Flom and Matt Moore on their new restaurant, Chicago Cut! It opens Monday at 300 N. LaSalle and we went to a tasting on Friday. The food is out of this world with the beef butchered and dry-aged on site which is very rare since most of Chicago serves wet-aged beef. The flavor is unbelievable! The menu is varied so there is something for everyone too. For the tasting, we ordered sea bass tacos, steak sandwiches, tomato and burrata salad, filets and a grouper sandwich. All terrific. And the views! OMG! They have a huge terrace right on the river with dramatic views all around that seats 100 people. The bar is cozy and warm with beautiful mahogany everywhere you look. The wine list can be found and ordered from an iPad that holds information on over 750 different wines! It even describes the region of the world where the grapes are grown! So cool! Chicago Cut will be a restaurant for all seasons since in the summer, you can enjoy the terrace and in the winter, you can watch the snow fall through the wrap around floor-to-ceiling windows. These Rosebud veterans have plenty of experience and it already shows in every detail. The kitchen will stay open until 1:30 a.m. so this will be a great spot for after-event dinners as well. It will be open for breakfast and lunch with a carving station serving over a dozen kinds of meat, too. Congrats and I will see you again soon Chicago Cut!

There are so many fun events happening around town and I don’t want you to miss them! First up, the last Randolph Street Market Festival will be held on September 25th and 26th at 1350 W. Randolph. I shouldn’t be telling you this because this is my favorite vintage market with over 200 dealers with the coolest stuff. The jewelry is to die for! There are also an impressive array of home goods, décor, designer wars, classic pieces and vintage fashions. Chicago fashion maven Nena Ivon will be there to share her expertise on mixing modern and vintage for fall and, as always, there will be live music, food and drinks, including wine, beer and cocktails! The market goes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $12 which is good for both days or $9 when purchased online at www.randolphstreetmarket.com. There is even free trolley service to and from the market departing from Water Tower Place (835 N. Michigan) at the top of 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Hope to see you there!

On Thursday, September 30th, Ann Danner Dwyer will be hosting an event at Jimmy Choo at 63 E. Oak St. which will support research for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This party will introduce Choo 24:7 Boots with 10 percent of the proceeds benefitting St. Jude’s. Hope you can come out for cocktails, conversation and fashion on September 30th from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. To RSVP, please e-mail lynne.henry@jimmychoo.com or call 312-255-1170.

Well, two top hotels in town were without their catering directors when the Peninsula’s Greg Hyder and the Palmer House’s David Brandt took a little vaca together to the Far East recently!!! No one works harder or are more deserving than these two friends…their photos should be turned into a documentary! This was Greg’s third time there so he knew all of the spots to hit like the Hindu Temples, the top restaurants and even elephant riding! Check out their amazing photos here. The Shanghai Peninsula looks like the place to be! Welcome back, David and Greg!!!

And last but not least, kudos to RL Restaurant on their wonderful feature in this month’s Chicago magazine! Writer Amalie Drury did a great job, as always!!!

And now, as the leaves begin to turn, I think back on a wonderful summer and am looking forward to fall! Hope you have all made lots of memories to keep you warm!

P.S. Don’t forget Elda de la Rosa’s “Ooh-La-La Fall/Winter Fashion Show” is this Wednesday, September 22nd at 5555 N. Sheridan Road from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.! Tracey Tarantino from ZZazz Productions will be producing it and there will be cocktails and hors d’oeuvres! Please RSVP to 773-769-3128. (I will be modeling some of the amazing designs she created for me too!) :)